1948 photos show LBJ in Houston

Congressman Lyndon Johnson speaks at a luncheon for businessmen at the Houston YMCA, Oct. 26, 1948. At left is John H. Crooker Jr., an organizer of the event. (Caroline Valenta Gatewood : Post file)

I recently came across these Houston Post photos showing Congressman Lyndon Johnson in town on Oct. 26, 1948.

Johnson was speaking at a luncheon for local businessmen at the YMCA. Parts of his speech focused on international matters including Russia, as the Post noted in an article the next day.

Congressman Johnson said the real problem is to learn what makes the Russians act as they do — whether they are bent on ruling the world or are merely frightened and have an inferiority complex.

It’s worth nothing that Johnson at this time was still embroiled in a bitterly contested primary runoff battle for the U.S. Senate. Initially, Johnson came in second to former Gov. Coke Stevenson by a razor-thin margin…at least until all the votes from Precinct 13 in Jim Wells County had been recanvassed, mysteriously showing an extra batch of votes for Johnson. Despite legal challenges by Stevenson, Johnson prevailed by 87 votes.

From there, Johnson went on to easily win the general election and head on to the Senate.

Don’t forget, on Tuesday the county will officially throw open the doors of the restored 1910 Harris County Courthouse. Complimentary, self-guided tours will take place from noon to 3 p.m. See you there.